A DOG exercise park near Saline has been given the green light despite concerns about noise affecting local residents.

Laura Inglis, of Blairsgreen Farm, said the new venture on 1.2 hectares of her land would "sustain an existing rural business" and it received planning permission from Fife Council.

However 12 of the 20 households in the adjacent hamlet of Kinneddar Park objected to the dog park due to concerns about noise, road safety, "excessive" opening hours and light pollution.

Dog owners will be able to book one-hour slots for their pet, a maximum of four will be allowed at a time, and the plans include the erection of a shelter, gate and boundary fence, floodlighting and the formation of a parking area with eight spaces.

A planning statement on behalf of Ms Inglis said: "Ultimately, the proposed development is an economic intervention to support the business diversification and therefore viability of the farm."

The proposed opening hours were 6am to 9pm, April to October, and 8am to 5pm between November and March.

Dunfermline Press: A field at Blairsgreen Farm proposed for the dog facility.A field at Blairsgreen Farm proposed for the dog facility. (Image: Fife Council)

That was amended to 8am to 8pm, all year round, with the applicant also offering to put up an acoustic fence along the southern boundary of the site.

The west and central planning committee heard that a new access into the site would also "improve visibility" on the road for motorists.

Councillor Sam Steele said the dog park would be "directly on the doorstep" of Kinneddar Park, with the nearest garden 12 metres away.

She added: "The change from 6am is good but if it's now 8am to 8pm all year round that means it'll be operating three hours later in the winter."

She also said the road was "horrific" and was already subject to a speed survey because of the concerns of locals.

The committee was told the public protection team had initially moved for refusal but that stance has now changed.

A report said there was already existing noise levels on the farm, which includes tractors, machinery, and livestock.

Planning officer Emma Baxter added that with the proposed mitigation measures, the council considered there would be no "significant detrimental impact" on residents.

Cllr Steele said the application should be refused due to the noise concerns for neighbours but was advised that the council would be "vulnerable" in any appeal and it could be included as a planning condition.

The committee was told that if there were any noise complaints, the public protection team would be duty bound to investigate.